Glass-melting tank-furnace.



G. E. HOWARD. GLASS MELTING TANK FURNACE. APPLlCATlON FILED AUG. 15, $13.

Patented Why 4, 1915.

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I G wl'glifisfzh/ INVENTOR- Y i 57% Z0. /0 77 76 7% TQM G. E. HOWARD.

GLASS MELTING TANK FURNACE. APPLICAIION map A'uems, 1913.

l, 1 38, 1 1 O. Pafented May 1, 1915.

- Z SHEETS-SHEET 2- WlTNESSES. aNVENTOR. 36 EM 7 other means at present to accelerate the -venti on relate to PENNSYLVANIA.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. HOWARD, 1

a citizen of the United States, and resident of Butler, inthe county of Butler and State of Pennsylvania have invented a new and useful Improvement in Glass-Melting Tank- Furnaces; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,-clear, and exact descrip tion thereof. i j

'My invention relates to improvements in glass'melting furnaces and is particularly concerned with improvements in the means for delivering molten glass from the furnace tank.

The objects of the invention are, first, to provide means for elevating and delivering a quantity of molten glass from the tank without the use of dipping ladles or other devicesat present employed. Second, delivery of, the molten glass; third, toprovidefor the delivery of the molten glass in definite predetermined quantities; fourth, cry of the glass from the tank without causing bubbles, seeder other defects in the glass, which the use of dipping la'dles and employed cause to appear in the glass. Fifth, to provide means for delivering the molten glass from thetank in such manner I in certain cases flowinto or upon a receptacleali a higher level glass in the tank, thus the return of surplus gravity.

providing means for glass to the tank by This invention is not concerned per as with the means for melting and refining the glass in tank furnaces, as that operation is done in the usual way. Neither does the inthe subsequent working of the glass by rolling, after it is delivered from the tank.

This application is filed as a continuation in part of my co -pending application Serial The glass can be delivered to a pot and thence transferredand poured on a table in the manner now employed by the plate glass and other industries; or, it can be, delivered directly on the table without the use of a pot.

For use in the manufacture of window glass.

it can be delivered to a ladle held at the mouth of delivery spout and thence carried GL-Ass-Mn TINe TANK-FURNACE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed August 15, 1913.

to provide for the deliv-' .machines, tank furnaces tle's, it is necessary to use containing molten glass. potis heated by an overhanging furnace and that the glass may than the level of the drawing of blowing OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA,YA CORPORATION OF Patented May a, rate. Serial N01 784,896.

de'rs 1n the manner now'in use. I

' Foruse in the bottle making industry and similar lines employing blowing machines, this invention provides a means for elevation of the. glass into a' receptacle from which a-portion can be returned to the tank by gravity, thereby causing a flow of molten gathering and blowingmachines 1n the manner now employed.-

Inthe plate glass industry the glass 'is' can operate melted in the pots from which it is poured molten glass freefrom bubbles and other defects. The use of this 'devicewill make the use of tank furnaces practicable for the manufacture of plate glass.

Inthemanufacture of window glass'by are employed and the glass dipped out with ladles. This dipping process causes many bubbles and other defects to appear in the glass which the use of this invention will eliminate.

In the manufacture of-machine made bota revolving pot This revolving a portion of the pot passes out beyond the furnace wall, thus bringing a fresh portion of molten glass continually to the point where the machine gathers'and blows the bottle.

This invention will eliminate the use of t'he revolving pot thus saving fuel and preventing bubbles and other defects which greatly injure the quality of bottles.

V ith these-objects in view, the invention consists in a construction and arrangement of parts, a preferred embodiment ofwhich is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which i I Figure l is a longitudinal vertical section of atank furnace on theline l-1 Fig. 2; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the tank furnace,

the parts being removed-and part in section for clear illustration; Fig. 3 is afragmentary sectional view similar to Fig 1 show ng aniodification; and Fig. 4 1s a view similar to the drawing pots and formed into cylinin an open receptacle from which the 7 .struction of such furnaces.

be effected between the port 17 connection with the pipe 13 is provided with to the atmosphere.

slightly.

I table.

f tween the pipe to Fig. 3 showing a further; modification, and Fig. 5 is a view ofa'further' modification. Referring-to Figs. 1 and 2, 1 indicates a tank furnace of the usual construction having a receivingopening 2 through which is fed the raw materials of which the glass is composed. 3 is the melting chamber which is applied with heat through ports 4 in the usual manner. The interior of the furnace is divided by-a transverse partition wall'5 forming a refining chamber 6 which communicates'with the melting chamber 3 by a passage '7. The parts thus far described are and may be of the usual con- Beyond the refining chamber is a second transverse part1- tion wall 8 forming what may be termed a feed chamber 9 which communicates-with the-refining chamber by means of a passage 10.. The molten glass flows from the refining chamber through the opening 10 into the" feed chamber 9 and the molten glass in r all three chambers isnormally kept as nearly as possible at the uniform level 11. The devices which form the subject matter of this form of my 'invention'comprises a pot or hood 12 ofrefracto'ry material-which'extends' down into the feed chamber 9, as

shown, which hood or pot opens down? wardlyinto the feed chamber by an opening of suitable area, as sage 10 leading from chamber.-- The upper pot is connected by a pipe 13 with a threeway valve 14, the valve plug 15 of which has a passage 16 by which .ommunication may pipe .13 and the valve which in turn may be connected with any suitablesourceof'compressed air; said valve 14 also has a port 18 in communication with the chamber.

the refining to the feed a'p'ort v20 connected with a vacuum pump, said valve 19 also having a port 21 opening The feed chamber 9'is .providedwith a discharge outlet 22 located above the normal level 11 of, the glass in spout 23 by which the either to a casting which the glass may be carried to the casting In the operation'of the form of the apparatus just described, glass is permitted to flow from the refining chamber 6 to the feed chamber 9 and to fill the hood or pot 12 to the normal level 11 of the glass in the furnace, it being undersood thatiduring the filling ofthe hood, both of the valves 14 and 19 are in position to open communication be- 13 and the atmosphere. The apparatus may be operated in either of several ways. First,

, opening 22. A comparatively glass to seek this path flow of glass through the compared'with the pas-- end of this hood or opening 22.

A similar valve 19 in;

table 24 or to a pot in bles or other compressed air may be pressure thus depressing the level of the glass in the hood, and if desired, expelling all of the quantity 0 lass therefrom according to the flow required. This causes the level of the glass in the feeding chamber 9 to rise abruptly above the normal level 11, and causes its flow out through the discharge small portion of glass'will be also forced back through the passage 10, but the greater area of the annular space in the feeding chamber around the hood 12 will cause the major part of the of least resistance. The second mode of'operati-on is as follows:

After-the hood 12 is filledwith glass to the normallevel 11 communication" may be opened between the hood and the vacuum by means of the valve 19 and pipe 13, thus formingv a partial vacuum in the hood which causes the glass in the interior thereof to assume a, level somewhatabbve that of the normal level 11. The valve 19may'be closed and then opened to the'atmosphere through theport- 21 and the mass of glass within. the hood 12 standing above the normal level 11 will in dropping from the feeding chamber 9 out discharge opening 22. Furthermore,'-if it is desired to accelerate and augment this feed, the valve 14 may be operated to admit air under pressure to the hood 12, thus expelling the glass therefrom by the combined forces of gravity and said air presby gravity cause a similar sure. The rapid displacement of the-glass within'the feed chamber 9 will cause the necessary flow' out It 's obvious. also that the discharge of the glass maybe checkedat any desired point by suitable inclination either.

of the valve 14 or the valve 19. according to which of these valves-are employed in the operation of discharging the glass. Therefore the discharge may be regulated with the greatest accuracy and at the same time, inas'much as the mass through the discharge 1 of glass in the feedingchamber is raised to and discharged from the discharge outlet'22 in the mass, no bubdefects appear in the glass as it is received upon the casting plate or conveyer pot. Furthermore, as thenormal level of the glass is below the lower side of the discharge opening 22, the moment the mass of glass within the hood 12 isrelieved of the the surplus glass discharge or feeding forces, within the discharge opening flows back into the'feed chamber 9 keeping said discharge opening clear at all times.

In the embodiment of ,my invention illustrated in Fig. 3 the general form and mode of operation is the same but difiers from that just described, as follows: Instead of ating lever 36 having a fixed pivot 37. This the-bottom ofthe v hood 12 is located,

forming a feed chamberwithin the furnace separate from and within which the feeding the hood 25 Fig.4 has formed integral therewith a pot or chamber 26 which communicates with the refining chamber 6 by means of a'restricted opening 27 in the wall of said hood,near the bottom.

This integral feeding chamber 26 is pro- 2 19 turned to connect the vacuum source with vided with a discharge spout 28 pass'ing out through a discharge opening 29 in the furnace'wall. The operation of this form of my invention is substantially the same as ,that indicated by the-form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and similarly owes its efiiciency to the disproportionate areas of the discharge opening 30 connecting the hood with the feed chamber 26 and outlet spout 28, on the one hand, and the area of the inlet opening .27 on the other, by which the molten glass is admitted to the hood and to the feeding I Fig. 5, the partition wall 31 which divides the refining chamber 6 from the feed chamber 9is provided with a passage 32 opening through a valve seat 33 illustrated in pended by valve rod v35 from a valve operpassage 32 opens through feed chamber 9'and beneath the feed hood 38. This hood 38 is similarly provided with a valve connection 13 and the feedchamber is provided with the discharge opening 39 and discharge spout 40. With the valve34 open as shown in Fig. 5 it is evident that the molten glass in the feed chamber 9 will assume the same level as in the refining.

chamber 6 there. being a continuous passage 32 between the same:-.Ntih this form of the apparatus the operationof deliveringthe glass from the tank may be accomplished in three ways. The valve 34 is lowered to close the passage 32. Compressed air is then forced into the hood 38 thus depressing the glass in the hood to a level below the normal level 11. This causes the glass in the feed chamber to rise above the normal level and the glass flows through the discharge opening 39 onto the casting table or other suitable receptacle. Second: the valve 34 is held open, as shown, the air' pressure valve 14 is shut off and the vacuum valve 19 is opened and a partial in the hood. "This causes the glass in the interior thereof to assume a level above the normal level 11. The valve 34 is then closed and cuts off the connection of the'refining chamber 6, with the feed chamber 9, The valve. 19 is then turned to cut oh the connection with the vacuum pump and into communication with the port 21 opening to the atmosphere. The air pressure being then the same both in the hood and in the feed vacuum is thus formed means for varying the fluid chamber, the. level/of the glass in the hood will drop, forcing out the glass through the passage 413 at-the base of. the hood, the consequent displacement of the glass in the feed chamber 9 causingthe glass to flow out the hood 38. Glass rises in the hood, the valve 34 may then be closed, also the valve 19 closed and valve 14 opened to admit air under pressure tothe hood, This forces the level of the glass hood rapidly downv'vard, and through displacement in her 9 causes a desired amount to flow through the outlet 39.

It is obvious that the general principle involvedinthe operation of all forms of the invention is substantially the same, namely, the raising of the portion of the glass in the hood above the normal level of the glass in the feed chamber, and then allowing or causing said glass in the hood to drop with more or less rapidity to cause a corresponding displacement of the glass in the feed chamber and consequent flowthrough the outlet. It is also obvious that the feed from the outlet may be even more'rapidly cut off by opening the communication between the taking place.

and a consequent quick drop of the level of the glassin the feed chamber. Many practical considerations make the employment of the feed chamthese methods of operation desirable in certam cases. As the discharge opening 39 may be made of considerable size, very rapid delivery of the glass can be accomplished as the air pressure is quick to act.

While I have herein described several e1nbodiments of my invention, it is to be underclaims.

What I {claim is:

1. In apparatus of the combination of a glass melting tank, having a discharge opening, a hood, there being means of communication between said liood and the main supply of glass in said tank, meansfor opposing return flow of the glass through said communicating means, and pressure in said hood, Wherebythe level of glass therein may be raised above the normal level and means for thereafter depressing the level within the hood .to cause a discharge of the glass from said tank through said discharge opening. I

2. In apparatus of the class described, the

stood that the same is'not limited'to the forms shown and described, but may be alclass described, the

' in said glass through said communicating means,

within said hood may combination with a glass melting tank hav of the glass in said hood, and means for thereafter depressing the level to cause a discharge of'gla'ss from said tank through having a discharge said discharge opening. j

8; In apparatus of theclas's described, the combination oi a glassrrnelting tank having a dischargeopening, a hood,- there being means of communicationjbetween said hood and tank, means for opposmgreturn of the a vacnum'prodncing apparatus, and an air pressure apparatus in communication with said hood whereby the level of the glass with variedacceleration to cause an increase'of the discharge of .glass from said 1 tank through said discharge opening.

- 4; In apparatus of-the class described, the combination of a glassimelting [tank having a constantly communicating chamber provided with a discharge outlet, ahood located in saidchamber and constantly communicat:- ing-therewith'in such :manner'that the level same'h eight as that of the main supply-of glass'insaid tank and chamber, the opening "forming communication between said tank and said chamber belng'less in size .than/ the opening forming communication between raised combination of a beiraised and lowered v an o -11st I constantly communicating therewith and having an o'utlet, means for opposing return of theglass through said out- 60 let, means hood is normally maintained at the saidchamber and said hood, and means for varying the pressure in said hood above the glass, whereby the level'in said chamber is 5. In apparatus the class described, the

glass melting tank, an inclosin'gmember in said melting tank there being means of constant communication be tween said member and tank,- sa1'd member posing return-flow of 'the glass through said communicating means, means for "creating a partial vacuum in said member whereby the glass'issucked up to a higher level in D1 said member, and when the vacuum is dey stro'yedj glass-- flows from said discharge outlet;- [6.1 In apparatus of the class described, the comhination'of a glass melting tank an inclosing" member in'said melting tank having for creating a partial vacuum in I said member whereby upon destroying said 5" vacuum, a portion of the glass approxi-v mately equal to the portion of glass raised in said member above the normal level passes out from said outlet in said member. In testimony whereof, I the said GEoRen HOWARD have hereunto set my'han'd.

. GEORGE E. HOWARD.

Witnesses:

' J. GARFIELD HOUSTON,

JOHN F. WILL.

and the glass flows through said dis- 40. charge outlet. 4 'i opening, means for opv V 

